McNair is obviously one of the greatest Titans to ever play, however, it's highly unlikely that he'll ever be inducted in to the Hall of Fame, and the only Oiler/Titan player to have his number retired that isn't in the HoF is Jim Norton. Norton, however, was the AFL's all time interception leader, is still the Oilers/Titans all-time interception leader(despite only playing 9 seasons), and was one of the original Oilers. He was also the first to ever have his number retired. Every player since then to have their number retired(Campbell, Munchak, Matthews, Moon, Bethea) has been a member of the HoF.

McNair was inducted in to the Titans HoF alongside Eddie and Frank back in 08..is that the highest honor he will receive from us? Or will his number eventually be retired? If it's not retired, do you think it should be?

IMO it's a no-brainer. Whether McNair's a HOFer or not, his number should definitely be retired. To see it worn by another Titans player would seem like a slap in the face to his legacy and all of his fans. _________________HEALTH STATEMENT: I'm not "fat", just well nutritioned.

IMO a player has to A) have a HOF career or B) win a championship to have their number retired. As much as I love Mac, he doesn't deserve to have #9 retired. Honestly I think the clamoring for the retirement of #9 comes from the fact that the man passed so soon after his playing career ended. I think the Ring of Honor is enough.

I mean if you retire McNair, you should retire Eddie, Wycheck, Hopkins, and a few others who were just as important to that late 90's/early 2000's run we had as McNair._________________**RIP Steve McNair**

None. Maybe 42 in MLB, but even that I don't really like. The reasoning for that is a much better justification than usual, but even then I think having current players wearing #42 would keep Robinson's story in front of people better.

IMO keeping the number in play is a better idea. Keeps alive the story of the player who make the number legendary and gives a new player something to live up to - imagine giving Warmack #74 and telling him to live up to it, or if Locker had to live up to #9. I mean, he's already the best #10 we've had, but... that's a low bar.

I like the Ring of Honor (or whatever you want to call it) idea much better.

Ehhhh. I love Steve as much as the next Titan fan, but what did he really do to deserve his number retired? If he wasn't taken from us, are we having this conversation? Seems like an early death of a player doubles their career achievements and accolades.

His numbers are good and what he meant to this franchise during his time here is immense, but retiring of numbers should be only for the league's best of the best, HOF-type players. Steve isn't._________________

Quote:

There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.

None. Maybe 42 in MLB, but even that I don't really like. The reasoning for that is a much better justification than usual, but even then I think having current players wearing #42 would keep Robinson's story in front of people better.

IMO keeping the number in play is a better idea. Keeps alive the story of the player who make the number legendary and gives a new player something to live up to - imagine giving Warmack #74 and telling him to live up to it, or if Locker had to live up to #9. I mean, he's already the best #10 we've had, but... that's a low bar.

I like the Ring of Honor (or whatever you want to call it) idea much better.

I dig that, I think it should be something to be earned. I like the idea of awarding it as a team post season accolade and giving the player the option to wear it. For example, say Jake Locker had a break out season and good follow up the year after and we decide to sign him long term. say the team decided to publically offer Locker the opportunity to wear #9 in honor of McNair. Locker would have the right to take #9 or reject the offer and keep #10 but I think the honor would be cool. I bet young players would appreciate the honor to wear an iconic number._________________**RIP Steve McNair**

None. Maybe 42 in MLB, but even that I don't really like. The reasoning for that is a much better justification than usual, but even then I think having current players wearing #42 would keep Robinson's story in front of people better.

IMO keeping the number in play is a better idea. Keeps alive the story of the player who make the number legendary and gives a new player something to live up to - imagine giving Warmack #74 and telling him to live up to it, or if Locker had to live up to #9. I mean, he's already the best #10 we've had, but... that's a low bar.

I like the Ring of Honor (or whatever you want to call it) idea much better.

I dig that, I think it should be something to be earned. I like the idea of awarding it as a team post season accolade and giving the player the option to wear it. For example, say Jake Locker had a break out season and good follow up the year after and we decide to sign him long term. say the team decided to publically offer Locker the opportunity to wear #9 in honor of McNair. Locker would have the right to take #9 or reject the offer and keep #10 but I think the honor would be cool. I bet young players would appreciate the honor to wear an iconic number.

Not a bad idea, but what happens if a player takes a historic number then just starts to suck? Do they have to give it up?

And aren't there league rules about players changing numbers? I think it's somewhat difficult to do unless you go to a new team and your old number is already taken.

I say just hand the numbers out as if they're unremarkable and let the players make them legendary as they're able. If there are a few forgettable #9s between McNair and the next great one, then just forget the forgettable ones and focus on the great ones. YMMV.

He basically built up the fan base when they moved the Tennessee. I mean he is probably the reason I am a Titans fan. And Im sure Im not the only one to feel that way._________________adopt-a-titan:
21 Da'Norris Searcy
45 Jalston Fowler

Ehhhh. I love Steve as much as the next Titan fan, but what did he really do to deserve his number retired? If he wasn't taken from us, are we having this conversation? Seems like an early death of a player doubles their career achievements and accolades.

MVP? Look at the past 20 years, and tell me how many teams have had one of their players win MVP (or co-MVP in McNair's case)? Small list when you think about it (12 different teams in the past 20 years, including TEN).

The guy was one yard from potentially winning a SB, and going through the move, living in Nashville at the time I remember how important those top 4/5 guys were just in winning over the locals (in what at the time was a highly NCAA football city/state). McNair carried the team from 2001 til he left, I'd say he deserves it. He was one of the best at his position when he was at his peak.